Mia Farrow exits just opened Broadway play ‘The Roommate’ due to COVID
NEW YORK — The anticipated Broadway comeback for Mia Farrow has been suspended due to COVID — and there’s no telling if she will return.
The 79-year-old actress, last seen on stage in 2014’s “Love Letters,” abruptly exited the recently opened production of “The Roommate” after announcing she tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend.
Although Carol Halstead was contracted as Farrow’s understudy, performances for the Jen Silverman-scripted odd couple comedy were canceled on Saturday following Farrow’s since-deleted tweet about her departure.
For Sunday’s show, actress Marsha Mason — also an associate director of the production, which co-stars three-time Tony Award winner Patti Lupone — stepped into Farrow’s role for the Sunday matinee performance, reportedly with script in hand.
“I was called to step in by the producers while enjoying a lovely Sunday morning in Connecticut, and of course, came right to the city,” Mason, 82, said in a statement. “These moments in the theater are equally exciting and terrifying, and the audience helped make it a fun ride.”
The actress, known for Oscar nominated roles in films such as “The Goodbye Girl” and ‘Only When I Laugh” added: “I was exhilarated to play opposite Patti and especially heartened to be able to pinch hit for my Connecticut dear friend and neighbor, Mia, who is quite marvelous in the role.”
Production reps have offered no details yet on whether Farrow will return, but Mason is expected to step into her shoes again on Tuesday night.
Directed by Jack O’Brien, “The Roommate” centers on an Iowa City resident who takes on a shady boarder from the Bronx.
“If you ever wanted proof great actors get better with age, it’s here,” New York Daily News drama critic Chris Jones said of Farrow’s performance in his review last week.
The production, set to run through Dec. 15, is offering $35 tickets via a digital lottery.